No federal government approval

Seal, Low Head, Tasmania - Jon Bryan

Scientists, the community, fishermen and surfers are concerned that Gunns’ proposed Tamar Valley pulp mill would have a devastating effect on the marine environment. If Gunns’ pulp mill is built, it would dump 64,000 tonnes to toxic pollution into flushing Bass Strait every day.

The Federal Government has rejected Gunns’ claims that the mill wouldn’t impact the marine environment, insisting Gunns go back to the drawing board and do more research. Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett has given Gunns until March 2011 to complete the research. After that, he will have to decide if the environmental impacts are unacceptable.

The Federal Government has no jurisdiction over air quality in Tasmania and no power to assess the health effects of particulates and foul odours emitted by all pulp mills of this type - a severe shortcoming in Australian law.

Gunns is proposing an elemental-chlorine-free (ECF) pulp mill, which uses chlorine dioxide in its bleaching process. This leads to the production of highly toxic substances like dioxins and furans.

Gunns has refused to adopt the cleaner and safer ‘totally-chlorine-free’ (TCF) technology, which excludes the use of toxic chemicals. This is despite the fact that world leading Swedish pulp mill operator, Södra, uses this process in their mills. 

Further reading

Pulp mill fast-track assessment
The fast-track assessment of the pulp mill has seen a corrupted process, special deals and broken promises. The result – a government ‘approval’ that ignored the major impacts of the project and a statewide call for the establishment of an Independent Commission against Corruption for Tasmania. Read more >>

Time to restore trust in democracy
The Wilderness Society has joined with other groups and individuals under the banner of Our Common Ground,  in an attempt to solve the conflict over Tasmania’s forests. Our Common Ground has released a series of television advertisements, including one highlighting the abuses of democratic processes which occurred in Tasmania as part of the shambolic pulp mill approval. Watch TV add >>